Christmas in San Sebastián

Experience the festive celebrations of the Basque Country where, as well as enjoying a unique Christmas experience, you can submerge yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this beautiful region. Based in the foodie capital of San Sebastián visits include Bilbao with entrance to the Guggenheim, Pamplona, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Oñati with plenty of free time to soak up the local atmosphere.

Itinerary

Day 1

Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris and onwards to Hendaye by TGV. On arrival, transfer by coach to San Sebastián (approx. 40 minutes). Check-in to the hotel for seven-night stay on bed and breakfast basis. Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

Morning guided tour of San Sebastián with the rest of the day at leisure with festive Christmas Eve dinner in the hotel restaurant. A picturesque resort city, San Sebastián sits on the calm La Concha bay backed by low, rolling hills. The city is best known for its beaches but it is so much more, with a lively, buzzing atmosphere that fills the streets all day and well into the night. The charming Parte Vieja (old town) nestles at the foot of the green Monte Urgull, whilst Centro, the shopping and commercial district has some lovely 19th century architecture. The city is also known for its food, it claimed to be Spain's gastronomic capital, with a brace of Michelin-star restaurants and plenty of fantastic local pintxos (tapas) to try.

Day 3

Day free to relax or explore at your leisure with Christmas dinner in the evening at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4

Full day tour to Bilbao with a guided walking tour plus entrance to the Museo Guggenheim. A modern and prosperous city, Bilbao nestles in a narrow valley, the surrounding mountain slopes peeking through the high rise buildings of the city centre. The arrival of the Museo Guggenheim (entrance included) in 1997 transformed the city into a tourist hotspot and although not as pretty as its near neighbours there is plenty to do here – the attractive Casco Viejo is a charming place to explore.

Day 5

Full day tour to Pamplona with a guided walking tour. Best known for its legendary festival of Sanfermines, Pamplona is a wealthy and self-possessed city. Built as a fortress to protect routes into Spain from the Pyrenees before becoming the capital of the fiercely independent state of Navarra the compact Casco Antiguo (old town) is stuffed with quaint stone lanes leading to lovely churches and a magnificent citadel.

Day 6

Full day tour to the French Basque country – Biarritz, Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de- Luz. Biarritz is a stylish coastal town, a playground of the French glitterati. Today the resort is a haven for surfers, its seafront lined with grand old buildings, including the gorgeous 1930s Casino Municipal. Being the capital of France’s Pays Basque, Bayonne has a palpable Basque flavour. This attractive small city is best explored with a stroll through the narrow streets of the old town where you’ll find half-timbered houses painted in traditional Basque colours. Visit the excellent Musée Basque to delve deeper into the culture. Saint- Jean-de-Luz, with its sheltered and sandy beaches and magnificent old town complete with half-timbered mansions, is one of the most popular and attractive resorts on France’s Atlantic coast.

Day 7

Full day tour to Vitoria-Gasteiz with a guided walking tour. A flourishing medieval wool and iron trade created the elegant and undiscovered city of Vitoria-Gasteiz, filling it with Renaissance palaces, beautiful churches and grey-gold stone mansions. The medieval core of the city is arranged over a small hill and is a wonderful place to wander and discover plazas, palacios and excellent Basque restaurants.

Day 8

Transfer by coach to Hendaye for return TGV to Paris and onwards by Eurostar to St Pancras.

Hotel Astoria 7, San Sebástian

Housed in the historic Astoria Cinema by the River Urumea the Astoria 7 is a design hotel that plays on its cinematic roots with a décor that pays tribute to movie stars. Just a 15 minute walk from San Sebástian’s main sights, rooms are individually decorated and offer private bathrooms, air-conditioning, TV, minibar, hairdryer and wi-fi. The hotel's facilities include a fitness room, snack bar and restaurant